Gov. Mike Dunleay wasted no time Thursday creating an unnecessary new state job for Stephen Cox after the Legislature voted 31-29 to reject Cox as attorney general.
By inventing an expensive new position as “counsel to the governor,” a superfluous job that the state doesn’t need, Dunleavy is using state money to give Cox time to find another job.
Read MoreAnchorage Sen. Matt Claman, who still claims to be running for governor, long blocked legislative attempts to close the Hilcorp loophole, offering a wide variety of lame excuses.
Claman has also blocked plans to raise the age of consent from 16 to 18, offering excuses.
On Thursday, it appears he will vote to confirm Temporary Attorney General Stephen Cox, despite Cox’s shortcomings. I’m sure Claman will have an excuse or two.
Read MoreDoes the secret Glenfarne contract require that the state has to pay money to Glenfarne if the Alaska LNG project folds and the company wants out? Why is it secret?
Read MoreDon’t be surprised if President Donald Trump begins claiming again that China might pay for the Golden Age of Alaska LNG project.
That doesn’t mean it will happen. It will be like the imaginary Trump phone, the Trump health care plan and the Trump golf championships.
Over the past year-and-a-half Trump and his supplicants have falsely claimed that Japan and Korea would provide the money to build the pipeline.
Read MoreThe North Slope Borough is planning with private operators to create the world’s largest natural gas power plant near Prudhoe Bay, which would generate electricity for industry, data centers and potentially a power line to the Railbelt.
Borough Mayor Josh Patkotak and three officials from Twenty First Century Utilities gave a presentation on this massive project at CERA Week in March in Texas.
Read MoreThe rubber-stamp board of the Alaska Industrial Development and Export Authority is likely to vote Wednesday to approve a $190 million ANWR spending plan that was posted on the state public notice website Sunday.
There is nothing on the AIDEA website that explains the $190 million spending plan and nothing that explains how and when to testify. There is nothing that justifies AIDEA’s secret decision to bid on more tracts in ANWR in the current lease sale aimed at the private sector.
Read MoreGlenfarne claims it has no intention of ever answering that question in public until the Legislature acts on a tax cut. Later on, when the state decides if it should invest in the project, all will be revealed, Glenfarne claims.
There is a serious problem with this approach.
Read MoreGwen Holdmann writes that given changes in the energy picture, she believes the Susitna “project deserves one last serious reconsideration before Alaska closes the door on it — likely for good.”
Read MoreI am waiting for the moment when Dunleavy announces the Donald J. Trump Golden Alaska LNG Pipeline and invites Trump to enjoy himself at Nikiski-lago.
Read MoreHilcorp, owned by Texas billionaire Jeff Hildebrand, could qualify for a new state subsidy for gas drilling in Cook Inlet potentially worth $30 million to $50 million under a plan approved by the House Finance Committee Wednesday,
Fairbanks Rep. Will Stapp said his proposed reduction in the state’s royalty share from natural gas leases was the “Save Anchorage” or “Save Southcentral” amendment.
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